Expressive therapy

By reversing the normal defensive or "covering up" process and expressing (whether verbally, emotionally or by acting out) his ideas and feelings, a person is encouraged to understand the emotional roots of his symptoms or illness. The aim is to shift the roots of emotional and mental illness from the unconscious to the conscious mind. Although this self revelation may be painful and disillusioning, it aims towards self realization and a clearer view of [reality]

. In contrast, [suppressive therapy]

seeks to maintain a comfortable and peaceful [illusion]

and to strengthen the repressive and defensive forces of a personality.